as in blunt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
don't expect much information or friendly chitchat from the short-spoken villagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-spoken
Adjective
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Instead of her signature long blonde hair and full set of blunt bangs, Swift rocked a dark brunette lob with messy waves and swooping curtain bangs parted in the middle.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026 -
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Then, in the short track speedskating mixed team relay B final, Julie Letai suffered her own mishap, slipping and crashing into the padding.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes just a couple of hours with someone, or several short meetings, can really get someone moving in a different way.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The level of disruption — particularly coming from the United States with the very abrupt closure of USAID, but combined with broader cuts [by] traditional European donors and the UK — does have a human impact.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Those were some of the last words that reverberated through Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Thursday night after the abrupt end of Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham’s town hall meeting.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Aside from suave showmanship and feel-good Latin rhythms, the outspoken singer paid tribute to his Latino heritage and Puerto Rican history during his performance.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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Beijing’s national security law has transformed Hong Kong, with authorities jailing dozens of dissidents; forcing civil society groups and outspoken media outlets to disband; and neutering the city’s once-raucous political scene.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Short-spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-spoken. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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